Republic of Zamboanga

History

Establishment

On February 28, 1899, in a house in Santa María, a revolutionary government was organized and General Vicente Álvarez was elected provisional president and commander-in-chief. He then planned to take Fort Pilar, the last Spanish stronghold in the Philippines.

End of Spanish rule

The state was formally established on May 18, 1899, with the surrender of Fort Pilar to the Revolutionary Government of Zamboanga headed by Álvarez. On May 23, 1899, the Spaniards finally evacuated Zamboanga, after burning down most of the city's buildings in contempt of the Zamboangueños' revolt.

American occupation

Álvarez's term was cut short when the commander of Tetuan, Isidro Midel, cooperated with the Americans in exchange for the presidency with his cohort, Datu Mandi. He then ordered the assassination of Major Melanio Calixto, acting commander of Zamboanga, because Álvarez was in Basilan to recruit more forces. On November 16, 1899, Midel flew the white flag over Fort Pilar to signal the occupying American forces to enter, leading to the overthrow of Álvarez's government. Álvarez and his allies were forced to flee to the nearby town of Mercedes, then to Basilan and eventual hiding. In December 1899, Captain Pratt of the 23rd U.S. Infantry arrived at Zamboanga and took control of Fort Pilar. Thereafter, the nascent republic became a U.S. protectorate, and Midel was allowed to continue as president for about sixteen months.

Decline and aftermath of the Republic

In March 1901, the Americans allowed the republic to hold elections and Mariano Arquiza was elected to succeed Midel as president. However, Arquiza's government did not exercise effective authority over Zamboanga and finally in March 1903, the Republic of Zamboanga was dissolved. The American colonial government thus designated Zamboanga as capital of the newly established Moro Province, which served as the provincial entity of Mindanao, with Brigadier General Leonard Wood as governor.